A HKU team has developed a framework to determine the diet of fossil birds, allowing scientists to better understand ancient avian behavior. By combining various techniques, including medicine and materials science, the researchers identified previously unrecognized agreements on the diet of certain species.
A study by Princeton researchers found that China, Japan, and the US continue to finance fossil fuel power generation in developing countries. Despite their own carbon neutrality targets, these countries support mostly gas and coal power overseas.
Researchers discovered a rare bird fossil with nearly complete skull, allowing them to compare ancient bird brains to living birds. The study suggests that complex brain structure may have played a key role in the survival of bird ancestors during the mass extinction event.
A new study updates the world scientists' warning of a climate emergency, highlighting worsening environmental conditions despite reduced fossil fuel use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors emphasize the need for profound changes in human behavior and policy shifts to mitigate the crisis.
A leading nano-technologist argues that there are no excuses left to justify the use of fossil fuels. Significant innovations in advanced batteries and energy storage technologies are needed to meet the goal of a carbon net-zero planet by 2050.
Researchers have discovered two ancient bat fossil teeth in Asia, dating back to the Eocene epoch and pushing the evolutionary record for bats on that continent back by 55 million years. The findings suggest that bats may have originated in Asia before spreading globally, but the exact characteristics of these early bats remain unclear.
A team of scientists has developed an electrochemical reduction reaction pathway that converts CO2 into 1-butanol without CO dimerization. The use of copper phosphide as a cathode enables high product selectivity and efficiency, making it a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have found that thermally coupled systems produce more hydrogen than traditional setups when split by sunlight in sub-zero temperatures. This method could supply remote regions with clean energy, replacing fossil fuels and reducing pollution.
Despite its commitment to tackling carbon emissions, Wellcome's £28 billion endowment holds significant stakes in fossil fuels. The charity has refused divestment despite criticism and the success of other institutions that have made similar moves.
A new ancient shark species, Durnonovariaodus maiseyi, has been identified from a 150 million-year-old fossil found in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of hybodontiform sharks, which were closely related to modern sharks.
Researchers warn that hydrogen-based fuels are not a straightforward solution for climate targets, as they come with significant costs and energy losses. Direct electrification alternatives are often more economic and efficient.
A Cretaceous beetle fossil, named Pelretes vivificus, has been found to have fed on pollen from early flowering plants, providing conclusive evidence of the intimate association between ancient pollinators and angiosperms. The discovery sheds light on the origin of this mutualistic relationship.
A recent fossil discovery of four new snakefly species has deepened the mystery surrounding their evolutionary history and distribution. The ancient insects, dating back 50 million years, were found in British Columbia and Washington state, where scientists had previously believed they required cold winters to thrive.
ITQB NOVA researchers have developed a new approach to produce hydrogen from light using non-photosynthetic microorganisms. The biohybrid systems combine high hydrogen-producing bacteria with self-produced cadmium sulfide nanoparticles, which capture light and enable direct energy transfer.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a metric that reflects the average price of energy in the United States, providing a way to optimize policies for a smooth and efficient transition to clean energy. The energy price index can forecast energy demands and prices, helping policymakers navigate the evolving energy landscape.
Researchers have discovered that the modern tiger shark originated 13.8 million years ago, rather than the previously assumed 5.3 million years. The study, published in Paleobiology, used geometric morphometrics to analyze fossil teeth and found only one valid species of tiger shark remaining today.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated financing challenges and hampered investment in renewable energy infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this, frontrunners in the global energy transition will continue to expand their renewable energy capacities.
New research shows that while 64 countries cut fossil CO2 emissions during 2016-2019, the rate of reduction needs to increase tenfold to meet the Paris Agreement aims to tackle climate change. Global emissions grew by 0.21 billion tonnes of CO2 per year during 2016-2019 compared to 2011-2015.
Researchers suggest converting CRP land to perennial bioenergy crops as a viable alternative to displacing food production. The integrated modeling approach confirms that this transition can be economically and environmentally viable under certain conditions.
A team of researchers from Flinders University and the South Australian Museum discovered a new species of skink, Proegernia mikebulli, in the Namba Formation deposits. The fossil, named after Professor Mike Bull, is Australia's oldest known lizard, dating back to 25 million years ago.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline of coal power generation by reducing electricity demand and increasing costs. Global CO2 emissions from the power sector decreased significantly in 2020 and are likely to remain low due to ongoing investments in renewable energy.
A new analysis of nearly two decades of satellite data shows that economic development, fossil-fuel combustion, and air quality are closely linked on a continental and national scale. However, under favorable policies, these factors can be decoupled.
A new trace fossil, Glossifungites gingrasi, has been named after University of Alberta paleontologist Murray Gingras. The discovery provides insight into ancient water salinity levels and helps narrow down the type of organism that created the burrow.
Fossil burrows from northeast Taiwan reveal that giant ambush-predator worms, possibly ancestors of the 'bobbit worm', colonized the seafloor around 20 million years ago. The L-shaped burrows, reconstructed by Ludvig Löwemark and colleagues, provide a rare glimpse into these creatures' behavior beneath the seafloor.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis, which has features in common with both sea lilies and modern-day starfish. The exceptionally preserved fossil is a missing link for scientists trying to piece together its early evolutionary history.
A newly discovered 50-million-year-old fossil of an assassin bug has remarkably preserved internal male genitalia, providing valuable insights into the species' family tree. The find suggests that banded assassin bugs are about 25 million years older than previously thought.
The ETH researchers conclude that continuing to power aircraft with fossil fuels and removing CO2 emissions using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a cost-effective option for achieving carbon neutrality. Indirectly capturing CO2 from waste incineration gases also shows promise, costing significantly less than direct air capture.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a cheaper and more efficient way to conduct a chemical reaction that converts sugar into biofuels. The new method uses less expensive and simpler helper molecules, or cofactors, which are essential for energy conversion in cells.
Developing nations can keep global warming to 0.3 degrees Celsius with careful planning, according to a new study. Prioritizing fossil fuel-burning infrastructure for economic development risks long-term dependence on fossil fuels.
Global COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a significant decrease in fossil carbon dioxide emissions, with transport emissions accounting for the largest share of the decline. The estimated drop of 2.4 billion tonnes is a record low, with fossil CO2 emissions predicted to be approximately 34 GtCO2, 7% lower than in 2019.
According to a Georgia Institute of Technology researcher, shutting down fossil fuel power plants by 2035 may not require as many early closures as previously thought. By allowing existing plants to reach their typical lifespans, the cost of closure can be reduced and financial liabilities minimized.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified a new method to produce ammonia with a significantly lower carbon footprint. The process uses a mesh screen coated in copper as a catalyst, which helps bind nitrogen to hydrogen to form ammonia.
A new 'combustion synthesis' process has been established for producing safe and sustainable nuclear fuels. Actinide nitride fuels offer improved thermal conductivity and energy density compared to uranium dioxide, potentially revolutionizing the nuclear power industry.
The discovery of a new fossil specimen at Drimolen cave system reveals subtle anatomical changes in Paranthropus robustus, challenging the long-held assumption that males were larger than females. The findings suggest that environmental conditions drove rapid evolutionary changes in the species.
A new study reveals India's slow transition to clean cooking fuels due to women's perceptions of firewood as a better option for family wellbeing. The research found that both firewood and LPG users believe their chosen fuel supports at least some key dimensions of wellbeing.
Agricultural emissions alone could exceed the 1.5°C limit by 2050 if left unchecked, according to Tilman. Reducing food production emissions is crucial to keeping the planet livable in its current state, with strategies including more plant-rich diets and easing fertilizer use.
The global food system accounts for nearly a third of total greenhouse gas emissions, with land clearing and deforestation, fertilizer use, and fossil fuel combustion major contributors. Reducing food system-related emissions is crucial to meeting the 1.5°C warming target
The fossil fuel divestment movement has failed to reverse the trend of capital flowing into carbon-intensive industries due to its binary distinction between fossil and non-fossil companies. A more nuanced campaign focusing on low-carbon (re-)investment, modeled after credit ratings for climate change, is proposed as a solution.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce nanoribbons of TMDs, which are more abundant and cheaper than platinum, boosting their catalytic efficiency. The new catalyst could make hydrogen production more economical and play a key role in the transition away from fossil fuels.
A team of scientists developed machine-learning models to differentiate among several existing Amherstieae legume genera and classified existing pollen accurately over 80% of the time. The results support previous hypotheses suggesting that Amherstieae originated in Africa and later dispersed to South America.
A new modelling study by researchers at UCL and Yale found that paper recycling may increase greenhouse gas emissions unless powered by renewable energy. The study suggests that modernising landfill practices and using renewable energy can reduce emissions significantly.
Researchers have developed an artificial cyanobacterial biofilm that can sustainably produce green ethylene for up to 40 days. The biofilm's design limits cell growth, promoting efficient light utilization and biomass allocation towards ethylene biosynthesis.
Haotian Wang, a researcher at Rice University, has received a $875,000 five-year grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to pursue his work on converting carbon dioxide into fuels. The award supports his technology that uses renewable electricity to convert greenhouse gases into valuable chemical fuels.
Researchers used picosecond time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study electron transfer between gold and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. They found two electrons transferred from gold to titanium dioxide, with only one in 1,000 photons generating an electron-hole pair.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have analyzed the costs of producing green hydrogen using electrolysis and solar power, finding that it can range from $2.89 to $4.67 per kilogram. The cost is influenced by factors such as electrolyser efficiency, available sunlight, and capital costs of electrolysers. To make green hydrogen more competitive...
Researchers at UIC will develop specialized sensors to enable drones to adapt to various fuel types, expanding their range and capabilities. The funding will also support the education of students in combustion, sensing, and optimization.
Researchers from University of Exeter argue that current global climate pledges are insufficient due to government support for fossil fuels and destructive policies. They call for a comprehensive global plan with seven recommendations to address the climate crisis.
A 13-million-year-old fossil unearthed in northern India belongs to a previously unknown genus and species, providing new evidence about the migration of great apes and lesser apes from Africa to Asia. The discovery pushes back the oldest known fossil record of gibbons by at least five million years.
The ELECTRODE project aims to develop more efficient methods for storing renewable energy, a crucial step towards phasing out fossil fuels. Researchers will create porous photopolymer structures using 3D printing, increasing the effect of fuel cells.
A graduate student has identified a new marine wood-boring trace fossil, Apectoichnus lignummasticans, found in the University of Alberta's Drill Core Collection. The discovery provides evidence that the shallow sea covering Western Canada extended into Saskatchewan roughly 100 million years ago.
Researchers discovered fossil trees on Peru's Central Andean Plateau, revealing a more humid ecosystem than predicted by climate models. The findings support the hypothesis that tectonic uplift occurred in rapid pulses, shaping the region's climate and vegetation.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a novel way for bacteria to produce ethylene gas, a crucial chemical in plastics manufacturing. This breakthrough could lead to new methods for producing plastics sustainably, replacing fossil fuels.
A new species of brittle star from the Cretaceous period has been identified as Ophiomitrella floorae, honoring Dutch metal vocalist Floor Jansen. The fossil was found in a shallow, warm sea that covered parts of present-day Netherlands during the Dinosaur Era.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and formic acid, a storable fuel. The device, based on 'photosheet' technology, has shown high selectivity with minimal by-products.
The study reveals how iron can be used to remove oxygen from plant materials without oxidizing, enabling more efficient and cost-effective fuel production. By anchoring iron with a carbon structure modified with nitrogen, the researchers created a catalyst that interacts less with oxygen, allowing for robust reaction performance.
A new study reveals that fertilizer and pesticide applications on croplands are now the primary source of sulfur emissions, outpacing fossil fuel emissions. This increase in sulfur use has detrimental effects on agricultural soils and downstream waters, similar to acid rain.
A new study suggests that plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, similar to standard fossil fuels. Pyrolysis is identified as a promising method of recycling PPE waste into biofuels.
Researchers developed a key technology to produce aviation-grade fuels from wood waste. The method uses hydrocracking to reduce lignin oil's high viscosity, making it suitable for industrial use. This breakthrough allows Korea to proactively meet jet fuel greenhouse emissions regulations.
Researchers at Rutgers University have created ultra-small nanoparticles that exhibit unusual blinking behavior, which could help produce methane and other fuels. The crystals, composed of titanium dioxide, stay charged for tens of seconds, enabling potential applications in environmental cleanups, sensors, and electronic devices.
A small fossil jawbone from Alaska represents a rare example of juvenile dromaeosaurid dinosaur remains from the Arctic, providing clues to the history of dinosaur dispersal between continents. The study suggests that some dinosaurs likely nested in the far north, contradicting previous theories about their migration patterns.